The fact that alcohol is harmful during pregnancy, know, perhaps, everything. Its use by future mothers can lead to fetal development of deformities and defects, sometimes not compatible with life. And can you ever drink alcohol to your mother? And what are the possible consequences of its use?
Influence of alcohol on children on breastfeeding
- Alcohol affects the nervous system of the baby. A child who tasted breast milk, into which alcohol got into, quickly falls asleep. But his sleep will be restless, and he will often wake up. If the mother regularly consumes alcohol, the child is delayed mental development.
- The use of alcohol during breastfeeding can affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system of the baby: the heart rate increases, general weakness appears, blood pressure may drop.
- Because of alcohol in breast milk, the child's digestive system suffers. There may be intestinal colic, accompanied by loud crying. Ethyl alcohol leads to inflammation of the membranes of the esophagus, stomach or intestines. The absorbent function of the intestine is disturbed, because of which vitamins and minerals are poorly absorbed. With frequent use of alcohol, the child badly gaining weight and often lags behind in physical development.
- Alcohol during breastfeeding reduces the production of milk. The statement that beer improves lactation is a perfect myth. But the difficulty of getting milk into the nipple - it really does happen. Because of this, the baby becomes more difficult to suck, and his sucking reflex is depressed. In addition, ethyl alcohol spoils the taste of milk, and the baby can give up breast.
- Regular use of alcohol-feeding mothers in the infant causes a gradual addiction, until the appearance of dependence.
How to minimize the negative effects of alcohol?
Currently, there are many views on the prohibition or permission to drink alcohol during lactation. Most often nursing mothers hold the view that rare one or two glasses of table wine will not cause significant harm to the child. And in their own way they are right. Naturally, the best thing for a child is not to drink alcohol to a nursing mother at all. After all, ethyl alcohol in any case penetrates into the mother's milk. However, the difference between a glass of good wine and half a liter of vodka is essential.
So, what can be done to reduce the risk of alcohol during lactation? For this you should follow the following recommendations:
- due to the fact that the liver of a newborn is not developed enough, the child at this age is most exposed to the influence of ethyl alcohol, and his body processes alcohol twice as slow as an adult. Before the child reaches three to four, and preferably six months, completely refuse to drink alcohol;
- with half a year, nursing mother can afford to drink a glass of light alcohol - wine or champagne, a small mug of beer, but no more;
- if you drink, take care of a good snack. On an empty stomach, alcohol penetrates into the blood, and then into breast milk, in a larger amount;
- The alcohol withdrawal period depends on the weight of the drinker. If you are a short, thin girl, a glass of wine will not come out of your body before,
than in three hours; - so as not to cause harm from alcohol during breastfeeding, a mother can pre-express breast milk. They will be able to feed the crumb during the feast. Expressed milk should be stored in a refrigerator for no more than a day, and in the freezer - about a month. Alternatively, you can prepare the mixture;
- alcohol can be replaced with a quality non-alcoholic drink.
But whatever it is, and whatever advice we give, every mother who holds a glass of liquor in her hand needs to think for herself: Is it worth it to take risks?